26 
BSH kompakt 
COMPETITIVE 
Germany’s shipping industry 
2007 
The German fleet of about 3,250 
vessels operated by German 
shipping companies Is the third 
largest merchant fleet world 
wide; 
More than 3,000 seagoing ships 
are listed In German shipping 
registers; 
546 ships are flying the German flag 
(as of 31 Dec. 2007); 
Including 372 ships listed In the 
International Shipping Register 
(ISR); 
Payment of financial aid In the 
amount of €57 million, Including 
€6.2 million for the promotion of 
252 training places; 
Issue or renewal of nearly 5,100 
certificates to mariners; 
Recognition of more than 700 for 
eign radio operators’ certifi 
cates. 
Ocean shipping accounts for 95 per 
cent of intercontinental trade and, 
being part of a large network of 
maritime industry, Is playing a central 
role in the world economy. Also 
In Germany, the shipping market 
benefits from the growth dynamics 
of global trade, and thus contributes 
essentially toward securing 
employment. Nevertheless, German 
shipping companies’ considerable 
success In an environment of 
International competition cannot 
conceal the fact that, while about 6% 
of all vessels worldwide have German 
owners, only about 1 % are flying the 
German flag. 
To increase this percentage and 
maintain the attractiveness of 
Germany as a business location for 
shipping, the Federal Government 
Is creating favourable framework 
conditions, I. a. by taking measures 
to reduce non-wage labour costs and 
promote training places on board 
German flagged commercial vessels, 
because there Is a lack of well 
qualified mariners and new recruits 
to the maritime Industry, not only in 
Germany, but throughout Europe and 
worldwide. 
Even latest state-of-the-art marine 
equipment cannot replace the 
navigator - on the contrary: 
sophisticated novel equipment 
requires highly qualified mariners. 
International minimum standards 
prescribe the required skills and 
competences, endorsements and 
verification procedures for the 
individual certificates of competency 
or proficiency. For validity and 
authenticity checks of documents and 
any questions concerning training 
and professional development, the 
BSH is the contact for mariners, 
shipping companies, and shipping 
administrations. 
ANSPRUCHSVOLL 
Schiffssicherheit und moderne Bordtechnik 
Mit zunehmendem Schiffsverkehr 
steigen die Ansprüche an sicheres 
Navigieren. Immer komplexere 
Technik macht dies möglich. In 
Deutschland trägt das BSH dazu bei 
dass die hohen Slcherhelts-